Only Minor Improvement in Business Confidence

Finnish manufacturing confidence was roughly unchanged in March. The
confidence indicator is still well below its long-term average.

It scored -7 points in March (-8 in February) while its long-term normal is +1. Slight production growth is expected for the coming few months. Order books have improved somewhat but they are still smaller than normal.

Finnish construction confidence indicator picked slightly up in March. Nevertheless, confidence is currently weaker than normal. Order books are smaller than average and personnel is still expected to decrease. The confidence indicator scored -21 points in March, up from -24 in February. Its long-term average is -8.

The service sector confidence indicator was almost stable in March. It scored +2 points, up from +1 in February. Its long-term average is +13.
The overall business situation has still deteriorated slightly. However, moderate sales growth is expected for the next few months.

Finnish retail trade confidence is still extremely low despite a minor improvement in the confidence indicator. The most recent indicator figure is -19 (revised figure -22 in February) while the long-term average is -1. Sales volumes are expected to decrease further.

Confidence Indicators, March 27